Corporal M.W. Zurevinsky of the RCMP introduced two volunteer-run programs to Assiniboia with the intent of battling local crime at the Canalta Hotel on December 11. Saskatchewan is new to such arrangements, where unpaid assistants tour towns and rural areas to give their communities an added sense of security. These volunteers are tasked with acting as an extra set of eyes and ears for the RCMP. In Alberta, rural crime watch programs had been operational since the 1970s and were proven to be successful in deterring criminal activities. Even rural crime signage is said to have assisted in reducing crimes in rural Alberta before they were committed.
Sometimes, police in rural neighbourhoods such as Assiniboia are expected to provide coverage for expansive areas. Resources for the RCMP in pastoral settings are often stressed, leading to unsolved or missed crimes. “If the people don’t report it, we don’t know about it,” Zurevinsky revealed, as he explained the importance of community programs such as COPP. “These programs help local detachments solve crime,” the officer added. But for these crime busting enterprises to work effectively, a large group of dedicated volunteers is needed. “The more people attached to these programs – the more you see,” Zurevinsky further articulated.
The Citizens on Patrol Program is a community-led program supported by the RCMP to prevent and reduce crime in Saskatchewan’s rural communities. Volunteers with COPP must be 18 years of age older. These crime fighting volunteers should be in good health and must pass a police background check. COPP members also have to attain a Vulnerable Sector Verification prerequisite before they are admitted into the program. Also, COPP volunteers should have good interpersonal skills, retain a positive attitude, work within a team environment and act responsibly with minimal supervision. COPP volunteers also need exceptional communication skills. Additionally, COPP volunteers are required to participate in training sessions.
Rural Crime Watch is another program to assist the RCMP in the countryside, where farmers and rural homeowners might be subjected to home invasions, robberies, vandalism, cattle rustlings, rubbish dumping and other disreputable activities. Rural Crime Watch volunteers are obligated to report on suspect vehicles and answer to the RCMP’s fan-out messages. They should produce inventories of their properties and mark all valuables with their driver’s licence numbers. Members should encourage their neighbours to mark their valuables as well. Rural Crime Watch volunteers must attend informational meetings in their districts. The participants in this program should be willing to take on functioning roles within their regions and take part in community events. Effectively, these volunteers should remain in the loop and know what's happening in their communities. Organizing and displaying rural crime watch signage is also essential when seeking to foil crime in farming areas.
